Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on goalkeeper David Raya following his outstanding performance against Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Gunners picked up a second-straight league win after a solid showing at the Emirates Stadium.
They were far from their scintillating best and needed a couple of goals from set pieces.
William Saliba opened the scoring after a lovely assist from Gabriel Magalhaes at the far post. Jurrien Timber bagged the all-important winner from a Declan Rice cross.
Aside from those goals, Arsenal had to work hard for the result. Raya produced a splendid display with four sublime saves, including a world-class stop in stoppage time.
Alejandro Garnacho’s attempted cross into the box almost found the back of the net. It required a sensational fingertip save from Raya to save the Gunners’ blushes.
Speaking shortly after the game, Arteta said that Raya’s save in stoppage time was ‘fabulous’ and acknowledged that the club should not have been hanging on for the win.
He told Sky Sports (via BBC Sport): “The last save that he made, fabulous. We shouldn’t be in that position “We are really happy because we know we had two difficult games in the last week or so. The attitude and willingness to go for it and be dominant, I am happy with it.”
In his post-match press conference, Arteta also lauded the shot-stopper for his victory-saving moment.
He told reporters: “The save that he made in the last action – it’s a cross, it’s not a shot, but it ended up being an unbelievable shot. I got the right angle, and my heart almost stopped, but David’s hand was there to get it back to life.”
Raya had a few nervous outings before yesterday’s London derby. He almost gifted Brentford with a goal last month, but made amends with a superb save to deny Igor Thiago.
Against Wolverhampton Wanderers, the £27 million signing was at fault for the 2-2 draw. His failed attempt to catch the ball contributed to Wolves’ dramatic 94th-minute equaliser.
Raya should have also avoided conceding in the 4-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur. The 30-year-old could have denied Randal Kolo Muani if he tried to save with his foot rather than his hand.
The Spaniard redeemed himself against Chelsea with four key saves. He pulled off a sublime stop on the stretch in the opening half and produced an even better one in stoppage time.
Raya did not keep a clean sheet after Piero Hincapie’s unfortunate own goal yesterday, but he had one of his best performances of the year and helped the club secure three vital points.
Arsenal will be back in league action against Brighton & Hove Albion on the road on Wednesday.